SolarGaps, a Ukrainian startup which has designed “the world’s first renewable energy-producing window blinds using solar panels to create electricity for your apartment, home or office,” is opening its own factory.
As reported by Ukrainian tech blog AIN.UA, which cites company information, the facility will produce up to 15 megawatts per year without carbon emissions.
Located in Romankiv, a town on the outskirts of Kyiv (Kiev), the facility already has 20 employees with plans to expand the team to 100 people.
In 2017, SolarGaps received an initial €50,000 grant from the European Commission in Phase 1 of Horizon 2020 SME Instrument; then another €50,000 under the Climate Innovation Vouchers Programme. The startup also attracted some $150,000 through two crowdfunding campaigns in 2017, and $120,000 from equity investors in 2016.
Finally, in the spring of this year, SolarGaps received an additional €1 million grant from the EU.
Ukrainian startup launches local smart blind manufacturing facilityRead More